New species of dolphin identified.
A team of researchers says it has identified a new species of humpback dolphin.

Physical and genetic evidence suggests that cetaceans found in waters off northern Australia are distinct within the humpback family.

This general group grows up to 2.4m in length and inhabits coastal waters from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The evidence for the distinct species in northern Australia is outlined in the academic journal Molecular Ecology.

"Based on the findings of our combined morphological and genetic analyses, we can suggest that the humpback dolphin genus includes at least four member species," said co-author Martin Mendez, from the Wildlife Conservation Society's Latin America and the Caribbean programme.

Dr Mendez added: "This discovery helps our understanding of the evolutionary history of this group and informs conservation policies to help safeguard each of the species."

New species scheme for humpback dolphins:
Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii), which occurs in the eastern Atlantic off West Africa
An Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea), which ranges from the central to the western Indian Ocean
Another species of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis), inhabiting the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans
Fourth Sousa species found off northern Australia yet to be named